The Foster’s Challenge Cup is an opportunity for the coaching team to give new players the opportunity to impress and provides games for Premiership clubs while the British & Irish Cup is taking place featuring Regional Premiership Select XVs.
SWALEC Cup champions Bridgend are in Pool 2 with Cardiff, Aberavon and Principality Premiership champions Pontypridd
The Ravens have won their last four games, including victories over Pool rivals Cardiff and Pontypridd last weekend. Head Coach, Mike Hook is excited at what is in store for his players in the Challenge Cup.
“As a squad we are really excited to be part of the Foster’s Challenge Cup. Firstly, I have to stress that we are going to approach this in the same way as any other competition – we’re in it to win it,” said Hook.
“Having said that, we’ll be using the Challenge Cup as an opportunity to test out the next generation of Bridgend Ravens, whilst giving the boys who’ve been part of a relentless Premiership schedule a rest.
“This is also an opportunity for the youngsters in the group to really put their hand up to fight for the starting jersey. As a new squad, we have a number of players who’ve not quite had as much game time as they want and this competition allows us to give that to them.”
Pontypridd travel to the Talbot Athletic Ground tomorrow to play Aberavon in their first Foster’s Challenge Cup fixture that kicks off at 2:30pm.
Pontypridd will maintain hopes of making a clean start in the new competition after last week’s 30-12 Premiership defeat to Bridgend.
The Wizards are currently fourth in the Principality Premiership table, whilst Pontypridd remain in first place, despite recent losses against Ebbw Vale and Bridgend.
The last time that Ponty faced the Wizards was on the 10th October at Sardis Road. Pontypridd were 40-16 winners and were also the winning side when they last played Aberavon away, back in October of last year. The final score on that day was 17-35.
In keeping with the concept of the Challenge Cup as a development tournament Pontypridd have searched far and wide for new talent to bolster their squad. Flanker Rob Jones from Llanharan and lock Lloyd Evans from Beddau are given starts, with scrum half Dane Blacker from Coleg y Cymoedd and outside half Troy Cusack and hooker Ben Lee from Llantwit Fardre drafted on to the bench.
Pontypridd team v Aberavon:
15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Dale Stuckey. 13.Harri Millard. 12.Bradley Coombes. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Geraint Walsh. 9.Joel Raikes.
1.Corey Domachowski. 2.Jack Dando. 3.Huw Dowden – cpt. 4.Lloyd Evans. 5.Shaun O’Rourke. 6.Jordan Sieniawski. 7.Rob Jones. 8.Hemi Barnes.
Subs: 16.Dane Blacker. 17.Troy Cusack. 18.Alex Webber. 19.Rhys Shellard. 20.Mitchell Auger. 21.Ben Lee. 22.A.N. Other. 23.A.N. Other.
Newport host fellow Dragons side Bedwas in their first Foster’s Challenge Cup fixture in what will be a family affair.
Two young players are following in their father’s footsteps with Jack Goodey, son of former Black & Amber captain Richard, starting in the back row alongside Joe Cullimore, who is on permit from Caldicot, who made an impressive debut in last Saturday’s win against Ebbw Vale. Another son of a Rodney Parade favourite, Aeron Bidgood, son of Roger, is paired with Julian Mogg at half-back. A solid front five will give a good platform and provide some good ball for the backs to use.
Newport team: Ed Howley, Ryan Wilson, Andrew King, Paul King, Jon Morris; Julian Mogg, Aeron Bidgood; James Greenfield, Evan Whitson, Tom Piper, Bryce Morgan, Ed King, Nathan Hudd, Joe Cullimore, Jack Goodey
Replacements: Alex Watkins, Josh Powell, Matt Williams, Dan Partridge, Harry Ashby, Rhys Long, Wes Cunliffe, Tom Howells.
The tournament kicked-off in midweek with three matches and continues at the weekend. Elliott Jones ran in two tries to help Cross Keys get off to a flying start in the competition as the Pandy Park side ran out 22-2 victors over Ebbw Vale. The visitors took the lead with a sixth minute penalty from Simon Veall, but that was all they could muster.
Owen Howe joined Jones on the score sheet with a third try and Ethan Davies kicked a conversion and penalty to complete the scoring. Keys led 6-2 at the break thanks to Jones’ first try.
Llanelli scored all their points in the opening quarter of their 14-8 home win over Neath, who are still seeking their first victory of the season. Felinfoel wing Elliott Dawe crossed for the first try after only five minutes and then Dafydd Lloyd added another.
Skipper and outside half Gareth Walters added a conversion to make it 14-0 and that’s how the scoreboard stayed until the last minute of the game. Neath centre Dean Howells then crossed for a consolation try which Iwan Evans converted to cut the deficit to six points.
Llandovery sped into a 14-8 interval lead at home against Carmarthen Quins before having to settle for a 22-22 draw. Rhodri Wall and Berian Watkins both scored a brace of tries for the home side.
The 12 Principality Premiership clubs will play each other home and away in three pools of four, with semi-finals and a final set for the spring.
Pool 1:
Carmarthen, Llandovery, Llanelli, Neath
Pool 2:
Aberavon, Bridgend, Cardiff, Pontypridd
Pool 3:
Bedwas, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Newport
Foster’s Challenge Cup Round One fixtures:
Wednesday 11 November
Llandovery 22-22 Carmarthen Quins
Cross Keys 22-2 Ebbw Vale
Llanelli 14-8 Neath
Saturday 14 November (all 2.30):
Aberavon v Pontypridd
Bridgend v Cardiff
Newport v Bedwas
ends
